2021 WSOP Main Event kicks off today

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The long-awaited 52nd annual World Series of Poker Main Event begins today at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. After 26 months without live play, this year’s WSOP delivered on nail-biting action with record-breaking events, newly minted champions and the highly anticipated return of 10-time WSOP bracelet winner and two-time Main Event champion, 88-year-old Doyle Brunson. As the excitement reaches a fever pitch, professional players from all over the world have gathered at the Rio ready for their chance at the highly coveted $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event bracelet.

“The WSOP Main Event is considered the World Championship of poker,” said World Series of Poker Senior Vice President, Ty Stewart. “With our return to in-person play, and the ease of international travel restrictions, we are absolutely thrilled with the excitement and turnout for this year’s Main Event. So far, we have seen life-changing wins and unbelievable upsets making WSOP history – and the Main Event is sure to continue to deliver on excitement.”

The WSOP Main Event has six total flights 1A-1F, spanning Thursday, Nov. 4 – Tuesday, Nov. 9 featuring two additional flights due to the recent news of lifted international travel restrictions. A celebrity Shuffle Up and Deal with six-time NBA All-Star Tony Parker on Friday, Nov. 5 will keep the Main Event excitement rolling into the weekend.

The action continues outside of the Main Event tables with over 20 bracelet events left to play through Monday, Nov. 22. In addition to the Main Event, players will also have the opportunity to compete in events including Online Event #7: WSOP.com No-Limit Hold’em High Roller 8 Max and the ever-popular charity-focused Event #68: Little One for One Drop No-Limit Hold’em.

Poker fans and interested media can tune into the weekly WSOP virtual press conference on Friday, Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. PST where host Tiffany Michelle dives deeper into this week’s milestone events with special guests, bracelet winners and more. This week’s virtual press conference can be viewed on the WSOP YouTube channel

What To Look Forward To:

-Friday, Nov. 5 – Event #67B: MAIN EVENT No-Limit Hold’em World Championship – Day 1B

• The WSOP Main Event weekend kicks off with a celebrity Shuffle Up and Deal moment with six-time NBA All-star Tony Parker

-Monday, Nov. 8 – Event #67E: Main Event No-Limit Hold’em World Championship – Day 1E

• As a response to travel restrictions easing, international players will have a chance to compete at the Main Event with two newly added flights.

-Monday, Nov. 8 – Event #68A: Little One for One Drop No-Limit Hold’em

• Players will compete in a gold bracelet event benefitting One Drop Foundation with $111 from each buy-in donated to the organization.

-Upcoming WSOP live action on PokerGO: PokerGO is the exclusive live streaming home of the 2021 WSOP. A new annual subscription can get you the remainder of the 2021 WSOP and the 2022 WSOP on PokerGO. Live coverage of the 2021 WSOP Main Event starts Thursday, November 4. Daily coverage will run all the way through until a winner is crowned on Wednesday, November 17. Plus, the finale of the $50,000 Poker Players Championship will be live streamed on Friday, November 5.